---
title: "James Luke Farmer | KnowJudges"
canonical: "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/james-luke-farmer-circuit-court-judge-alabama-fifth-judicial-circuit-court-al"
page_type: "judge_profile"
updated: "2026-10-07"
---

# James Luke Farmer

Alabama Fifth Judicial Circuit Court · Circuit Court Judge

## Profile

- Court: Alabama Fifth Judicial Circuit Court
- State: Alabama
- Role: Circuit Court Judge
- Service status: active
- Last verified: 2026-07-29

## Summary

Official statewide and applicable court procedural guidance applies to this judge.

## Before you appear

- Read the judge-specific standing order first when one is listed.
- Check the docket and case orders for requirements that supersede broader guidance.
- Confirm current remote-access and courtroom technology arrangements before the proceeding.

## Courtroom Rules

### media recording photography broadcasting

Scope: statewide

Alabama Rule of Criminal Procedure 9.4 permits televising, photographing, or radio broadcasting of judicial proceedings only as provided by Alabama judicial ethics canons, law, or another court rule.

Evidence excerpt: The taking of television pictures or other photographs in or of the courtroom during the progress of judicial proceedings or the radio broadcasting of judicial proceedings may be permitted as provided in Canon 3(A)(7) and (7B), Canons of Judicial Ethics, promulgated by the Alabama Supreme Court, or as otherwise may be permitted by law or other rule of court.

[Alabama Rule of Criminal Procedure 9.4: Televising, photographing, or radio broadcasting of judicial proceedings](https://judicial.alabama.gov/docs/library/rules/cr9_4.pdf)
Source checked: 2026-07-26


## Sources

- [Official profile](https://tallapoosa.alacourt.gov/circuit-judges/)
- [Official roster](https://tallapoosa.alacourt.gov/circuit-judges/)
- [Alabama Administrative Office of Courts official judicial roster](https://tallapoosa.alacourt.gov/circuit-judges/)
- [Alabama Rule of Criminal Procedure 9.4: Televising, photographing, or radio broadcasting of judicial proceedings](https://judicial.alabama.gov/docs/library/rules/cr9_4.pdf)

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## Biography

### Professional career

- James Lewis “Luke” Farmer is an Alabama Circuit Judge for the Fifth Judicial Circuit, appointed by Governor Kay Ivey in February 2026 to succeed the late retiring
- Private law practice
- Legal clerkships with the Alabama Attorney General’s Office and the 37th Judicial Circuit Court in Lee County
- Assistant District Attorney in Lee County
- Circuit Judge for the Fifth Judicial Circuit, which covers Chambers, Macon, Tallapoosa, and Randolph counties in northwestern

### Education


### Additional information

- Governor Kay Ivey announced Farmer’s appointment on February 20, 2026, as part of 31 statewide judicial and prosecutorial appointments.
- He succeeds Judge Steven R. Perryman, who retired after 19 years on the bench Office of the Governor of Alabama.
- His office is located at the Macon County Courthouse, 125 North Broadnax, Dadeville, AL.
- Featured in official Alabama court listings for the Fifth Circuit and in local news outlets such as Elmore-Autauga News, which covers his judicial activities in the region Elmore-Autauga News.
- Governor Ivey noted that Farmer brings “a broad range of legal and prosecutorial experience” and is committed to serving with fairness, integrity, and respect for the rule of law WBMA.



## Published courtroom rules

### Shared court rules

- [Alabama Rule of Criminal Procedure 9.4: Televising, photographing, or radio broadcasting of judicial proceedings](https://knowjudges.com/courtroom-rules/national-shared-set-2bb56569e2cd3665169eeff4) — Scope is limited to the court class in the source claim. Criminal proceedings only.  Shared court context only; case-type restrictions, exceptions, later amendments and case orders apply. This is not a personal preference or a complete rules inventory. [Official source](https://judicial.alabama.gov/docs/library/rules/cr9_4.pdf). Collected 2026-07-26.